What other travelers are saying about Kamaishi Unosumai Memorial Stadium
Small but cozy stadium. In 2011, there was a big TUNAMI here. Many people were missing.Now this city is recovering. People want to see the hope on this stadium.
The stadium grounds are generally accessible for free when no events are scheduled. Interior access is limited and requires advance arrangements through local tourism offices or stadium management.
The Iwate Tsunami Memorial Museum is adjacent to the stadium, charging around 500 yen admission. The surrounding Unosumai area contains memorial parks, preserved disaster remnants, and informational displays connected by walking paths.
Take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Shin-Hanamaki or Morioka, then transfer to the Kamaishi Line or Sanriku Railway to Kamaishi Station (approximately 4-5 hours total). From Kamaishi Station, take a local bus toward Unosumai (15-20 minutes) or a taxi.
Yes, the stadium hosts local rugby teams, regional competitions, and occasional national-level matches. Event schedules vary and should be checked through local tourism resources or sports associations before visiting.
This is the stadium where the Rugby World Cup matches were held.
I went when there was nothing going on so I thought it would be impossible to go inside, but when I went anyway, the gate was open and I was able to take a look around.
It's compact, but it's a well-maintained and nice stadium.
It's usually a calm environment, so it's hard to believe it was washed away by the tsunami. This makes the threat of nature feel even more real.
If you come to Kamaishi, it might be a good idea to take a short trip to Unosumai.
This is a rugby and soccer stadium.
Parking is available.
It's about a 10-15 minute walk from the nearest station, Unosumai Station.
This stadium was built as part of the disaster area reconstruction plan. Sports and gourmet events are held there regularly.
I stopped by while an event was taking place. The stadium is surrounded by mountains and is rich in nature. As it's a relatively new stadium, the facilities are clean and the wooden design is cool.
As it's a stadium, it is often at the mercy of the weather, and I feel that one drawback is that there are few areas to shelter from the wind and rain during rain or typhoons.
I especially felt this when it was raining when I visited. Also, part of the parking lot (used during events) is dirt, so it gets very muddy when it rains.
It's difficult to access without a car.
This is a place that I hope will be used to help with the reconstruction of the disaster area and revitalize the town!
"The City of Steel and Rugby" opened in August 2018 as the venue for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Kamaishi is a rugby-loving region known nationwide for the Nippon Steel Kamaishi Rugby Club, which achieved seven consecutive victories in the Japan Championships during the Showa era (v^ー°). Currently, the Kamaishi Seawaves are active here! The compact 6,000-seat stadium features a well-maintained, vibrant green lawn. Maintenance must be challenging. Built on the site of an elementary and junior high school completely destroyed in the Great East Japan Earthquake, it serves as a symbol of Kamaishi's recovery and hope. Cedar trees, damaged by the 2017 forest fires in the city, are now being used, and the soothing scent of cedar permeates the restrooms and other areas. 😊 It's unclear whether the stadium can be used for ball games other than rugby. It appears open for tours, trials, and training camps.
